Corfu beach nudes go on show

Archimedes: June 2011

Naturists sunbathing on a nudist beach in Corfu is the subject of a huge painting at this year's BP portrait awards in London. The huge work, which measures 2m by 6m is believed to be the biggest ever shown at the show. American artist Paul Beel, 30, spent a month on the remote beach at Mirtiotissa on Corfu, painting the holiday beach bums after picking up a £5,000 BP Travel Award from the National Portrait Gallery.

Nudists weren't happy when Paul pitched his easel on the sands and began sketching in the details. But a German nudist was the first to agree to pose for the picture and others soon followed.

'Making the painting was a month-long improvisation as weather, willing models and high waves are unpredictable,' Beel told the London Evening Standard.

The portraiture exhibition runs from June 16 until September 18 at the National Portrait Gallery, in London, and admission to the exhibition is free.